Improvement in fountain-pens



A.. T. CROSS.

FOUNTAIN-PEN.

Patented April 10 mili.

FIG.2.

FIG. I

INVENTEIR.

WITNESSES.

'W U NITED STATES .PATENT oEErcE, i,

y Jamonz'o "Lenoss, or PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.`

IMPROVEMENT IN FOUNTAIN-,'PEN.

Specification forming part of LetterePatent No. 1511304, dated Aprill 10, 18.77; epplif'etion filed/ Jungle, v1876. o v

'To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALONZO-T. CROSS, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island,.have invented an Improvement in Fountain-Pens, of which the following is a specification:

My invention may be applied to fountainpens, either where the Writing is performed by means of a tapering tubular point com bined with a centrally-arranged needle, or where the ordinary steel or gold pen is used; and it consists in the combination of a needle, valve, and air-tube with a cappiece constructed with a long interior screw-thread, by means of which the 4adjustment of the valve and nee` dle may be properly effected, and the joint at the same time be kept ink-tight. The connection between the cap and the outer case is made by a close orrshlouider j'ohrtrand this cap is to be removed with its connected neey dle, valve, and airtube, in order to properly replenish the ink-chamber; and it also con` sists in a needle with its inclosing-tube, in combination with an ordinary writiug-pen and a connectingftube of greater diameter than the needle-inclosing tube.

Figure l is a longitudinal section, showing a fountain-pen with a tubular writing-point.'

` the outer case or tube A and the central spindle. The spindle combines in itself the needle D, valve E, air-tube F, rod K, and the adjustingwscrew G, carrying 'at its upper end the vent-screw H. Within the tube A. is screwed the cappiece I, having a long interior thread to receive the screw G. The cap I screws down to a shoulder, i, thus forming a tight joint, and the screw G is made'of extra length and greased with tallow, in order that the ink may not pass by attraction between the threads of. the cap and screw.

The vent-screw H has one side iiled away,

. so' as to leave an air-passage, lt, along the side of the screw. This passage will be closed tight whenever the screwis turned down to 'of' which are located one or .more orifices, f.-

To the ,end of the airtubeis attached the solidwirerod K, the lower end of which coni stitutes the valve E, closing, by the actionof the screw Gr, down upon the conical valve-seat L. The needleD extends below the valve E,

and is made to project slightly beyond the extremity of the small tube M. which, in Fig. v1, constitutes the writing-point, and in Fig. 4 serves to deliver the ink into a tube, N, of larger diameter, and this enlargement of the tube, in combination with the projecting needle and the pen P, constitutes a` very important feature of myinvention, e'ectually pre venting the cloggingor obstruction of .the capillarytube M. 4

` The writing-point or tube M of Fig. 1 may be made of an alloy of platinum and iridium, or of any other suitable material non corro sive, and not easily worn by being moved over a paper surface. i 4

When the pen shown in Fig. 1 is not in use the point M is to be covered by the cap-tube O, held by friction, and, upon removal'from the point,lit may be placed forsafekeeping upon the cylindrical portion of the tip J, which is made of the proper size for this purpose.

The needle D, like the writing-point M, Fig. l, may be made of an alloy of platinum and iridium, which is subject to but very slight wear from the friction of the surface of .the paper, and is not acted upon by the acids contained in the ink; but other suitable material 'may be used, if preferred.

ln order to fill the fountainnor chamber B with ink the central spindle is to be entirely removed by unscrewing the cap-piece I from the outer case A, and the ink poured into the chamber, the point M being covered by the nger or otherwise, so that `the ink cannot drop therefrom. The spindle is then to be inserted and screwed down, so as to bring the needle with its point slightly projecting from the end of the tube M, and with the valve E i nearly to its seat. Then; upon'opeuing the vent-passage h, by unscrewing the screw H, the pen will be ready for use, the ink flowing in propel; quantity from the point ofthe tube M. As the writing progresses, the air will pass down the air-tube F, and fthroughthe orifice f into the'upper end of the chamber fB above the ink, thus allowing the ink to ow from the writingpoint onto the paper. When the writing is nisl1ed,the valve E is to be screweddown to its seat, the vent h tobe closed,'and the cap O placed over the tube The apparatus may then be safelyzcarried in thc packet under all circumstances.

The airtube F should bermade of capacity sufficient to'contaiu the amount of ink forced from thechamberB by the expansion caused by extremes ofhe'at, thus preventing the ink from bein g forced out at the vent h when the peni is in use. The natural heat of the hand which the needle D protrudes, and,`by means of A:the needle @,thetuhe .Mzmy he kept free from f obstmlctionx.ofv any kind, rendering the pen P positive andunifornn in its action.

By attaching' the needle, valve, airtube,`

and adjustingscrew together, I am enabled :todoaway withthecompliceticn and expense of previous forms.' I thus produce anlarticle v of greater convenience, cheaper in construc# tion, and ,more positive in action.

I claim as my inventionv l. The needle D, valve E, air tube'F, and vent-screw H, .in combination with the cap I and outelr` case A, substantially as. described.

2. "The needle D, tube M, and pen P, in com- `bination with the ink-conveying tube N, of greater diameter thanthe tube M, substantially as described. v K ALONZO T. CROSS. Witnesses:

WALTER D. "WESSON, BENJAMIN Ocoee. 

